BILL REQ. #:  S-4502.1 

READ FIRST TIME 02/05/10.   

     AN ACT Relating to evaluations of persons under the involuntary treatment act; adding a new section to chapter 71.05 RCW; creating a new section; and providing an expiration date.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   (1) The Washington institute for public policy shall, in collaboration with the department of social and health services and other applicable entities, undertake a search for a validated mental health assessment tool or combination of tools to be used by designated mental health professionals when undertaking assessments of individuals for detention, commitment, and revocation under the involuntary treatment act pursuant to chapter 71.05 RCW.
     (2) This section expires June 30, 2011.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   A new section is added to chapter 71.05 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) In determining whether a person is gravely disabled or presents a likelihood of serious harm, the court or evaluating designated mental health professional must consider the symptoms and behavior of the respondent in light of all available evidence or information concerning the respondent's historical behavior, as disclosed by the clinical record or credible witnesses with knowledge of the respondent.
     (2) Symptoms or behavior which standing alone would not justify civil commitment may support an inference of grave disability or likelihood of serious harm when: (a) Such symptoms or behavior are substantially similar to those which preceded and led to a past involuntary hospitalization, incident of severe deterioration, or one or more violent acts; and (b) unless treated, the respondent will continue with reasonable medical probability to physically or mentally deteriorate so that the person will become gravely disabled or present a likelihood of serious harm.